DESAL-HEART: Hypertonic Saline Added to a Pre-declared Furosemide Dose in Acute Heart Failure
Key facts
- Where
- Edmonton, CanadaSee the site
- Phase
- Phase 4
Where in Canada
- University of AlbertaEdmonton, CanadaNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Alberta
- Trial code
- NCT07927127
- Record updated
- 10 November 2026
- Original description
DESAL-HEART is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint, mechanistic proof-of-concept trial conducted within the Heart Failure Efficacy and Research Trial (HEART) Platform. The study will evaluate whether adding a single infusion of 3% hypertonic saline solution (HSS) to a pre-declared intravenous furosemide dose improves decongestion in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure.Read full original descriptionShow less
DESAL-HEART is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint, mechanistic proof-of-concept trial conducted within the Heart Failure Efficacy and Research Trial (HEART) Platform. The study will evaluate whether adding a single infusion of 3% hypertonic saline solution (HSS) to a pre-declared intravenous furosemide dose improves decongestion in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure.
Inclusion: Adults aged 18 years or older; Primary diagnosis of acute heart failure with dyspnea and at least two of the following signs of congestion:; Pulmonary congestion on chest radiograph; Rales on chest auscultation; Clinically relevant peripheral edema; Elevated jugular venous pressure; Randomization within 24 hours of the hospital admission order or admitted status, with admission to a hospital ward or intensive care unit, including patients remaining in the emergency department awaiting transfer; Persistent congestion with a clinical plan for another intravenous furosemide dose; NT-proBNP ≥1000 pg/mL, regardless of the presence of atrial fibrillation; Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >15 mL/min/1.73 m²; Serum sodium ≥125 mmol/L and <145 mmol/L; Meets the eligibility requirements of the HEART Platform Master Protocol.
Exclusion: Contraindication to either study treatment, including known allergy, hypersensitivity, or intolerance to hypertonic saline or furosemide; Dialysis-dependent kidney failure or anuria (absence of urine production); Treating physician's judgment that either treatment strategy is inappropriate, or any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would make participation unsafe or interfere with interpretation of study results; Hypertonic saline already administered during the current presentation; A clinical indication for therapeutic hypertonic saline; Requirement for mechanical circulatory support.